OLYMPIA -- Gays and lesbians can't yet legally wed, but the Legislature took another step toward that end Tuesday by passing domestic partnership legislation for same-sex couples.

"It's not marriage," said Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle. "There are more than 400 state law rights or obligations that don't come with domestic partnership and we are going to have our hands full trying to get those rights and protections, too.

"It's a really important first step in providing some first protections for same-sex couples and their families as well as senior citizens who haven't married and can't afford to do so for various reasons."

The bill passed easily on a 63-35 House vote despite condemnations from conservatives who said the bill was an affront to community values and religious freedom.

The advocates' intent to incrementally move toward gay marriage was one of the main reasons opponents fought the legislation.

"My vote is to protect the institution of marriage," said Rep. Lynn Schindler, R-Spokane. "The next step is to solidify the domestic partner relationship in a marriage contract and that is why I am voting no on this bill 5because the institution of marriage is how this civilization has been organized for thousands of years."

Rep. Jay Rodne, R-North Bend, said the bill infringes on rights that should be reserved for marriage.

Gov. Chris Gregoire plans to sign the bill, which previously passed the Senate, into law.

Senate Bill 5336 creates a domestic partnership registry with the state and provides enhanced rights for same-sex couples, including hospital visitation, the ability to authorize autopsies and organ donations, and inheritance rights when there is no will.

Couples would have to share a home, not be married or in a domestic relationship with someone else, and be at least 18.

Similar to California law, unmarried heterosexual couples would also be eligible for domestic partnerships if one partner were at least 62.

"The incentive for this bill is a desire to have a debate about marriage," Rodne said. "I think this body ought to have that debate. Let's bring forth a marriage bill, have that debate, make those votes, and vote our conscious. What we do today really clouds the issue.

"It really undermines the incentive for individuals to get married," he said. "It further erodes and weakens an already beleaguered institution to our detriment."

Under the current balance of power in the House and a three-minute rule that abbreviated debate, Democrats merely waited out squall of opposition and voted down a flurry of Republican amendments.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, has been the Legislature's lead gay rights advocate.

"In 1998, this Legislature shamefully acted to discriminate against gay and lesbian families when they passed (Defense of Marriage Act)," Murray said. "Today, with the passage of the domestic partnership bill we begin to undo that shameful act by providing some protections."

Murray said the bill was a step closer to gay marriage.

"I think we are closer to marriage than people realize but it's still a multi-year process, it's still going to take a lot of work," he said.